Brilliant

Time Out says

5 out of 5 stars

Details

Users say
(8)

4 out of 5 stars

Time Out says

5 out of 5 stars

The glitzy interior doesn’t hint at Brilliant’s longevity (a photo of a glossy-haired Prince Charles meeting the proprietors provides a clue), but this Southall landmark has been trading for nigh-on 40 years. It now has a first-floor banqueting hall seating 120 and runs cookery courses – videos of which are shown on three flatscreen TVs in the ground-floor restaurant.

Owners, the Anand family, hail from Kenya (see the carvings of Maasai tribeswomen), and the menu reflects this in starters of tandoori tilapia fish and mogo (cassava-root chips). Nevertheless, it’s for exemplary versions of straightforward Punjabi cooking that the restaurant has gained acclaim, and a cabinet full of awards.

Fish pakora followed by methi chicken karahi remain sublime options, though a recent meal began with fried masala egg (two hard-boiled eggs laced with spices in a crisp batter) then a far more thrilling palak lamb, where both the spinach and tender meat shone through the warming spice mix, and nutty dahl tarka (one of several ‘healthy options’ using less ghee).

Went to the Brilliant last night. Best indian food I ever had. The Karahi was superb, the Keema was great-tasting and I barely have lamb curries, but i like the Lamb Curry a lot!
I would certainly go again.

I agree with the previous three reviews. We had a party for 80 guests and the evening was a disappointement, The manager was rude and aggressive to my wife and unable to cope with staff of three.
Several of our guests reported food poisoning to us the next day when we reported this to the management, there was no reply until I threatened to take the matter to food safety officers. Then there was complete denial and arrogant attitude, No apology or compensation. They think just because they once appeared on TV they are always right. They are past their sell by date. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR CUSTOM.

Had a [vegetarian] dinner here last night. The chutneys were a bit oily but fresh-tasting and delicious. Tandoori paneer was the best I have had in London [including Tayyab's]. Aloo gobi and Dal makhani genuinely superb.
Very friendly service too. I thoroughly recommend this place.

Last night, exhausted after finishing a baking marathon for a charity event at work, my partner and I decided to pay a visit to the much talked about Brilliant Restaurant for some authentic Punjabi fare. At the start of the meal the enthusiasm level was 5 stars. Soon after being seated, we wasted no time and ordered a dry version of the Butter Chicken and Seekh Kebab for starters. As soon as we saw the Butter Chicken flashing us neon orange colour warnings our hunger levels went down. As predicted, the Chicken was a disaster – bland and orange-ily jeering at us. The dish was soon enough sent back to the kitchen with the server promising us that it will be revamped and brought back to life (err sure).
We then attempted to make friends with the seekh kebab and roomali roti. Ahh the combination. The roomali was spot on, soft velvety and very lovingly embracing the kebab. The kebab on the other hand was playing hard to get, with our mouths. It was a no nonsense chilli infused skewer of rage, and our stomachs agreed the next day.
Without much ado, and desperate to have some ‘brilliant’ food, we went on to the mains. The pulao rice was not Basmati, but a long grain variety. Well, excusable as it delivered what the menu promised; fluffy rice with peas and a light tempering of onions, ginger and garlic. The chicken, which had earlier made us cry for its untimely death, was now lying in its new avatar, giving us the pepped up, buttered and currified oh so hip look. We dipped our serving spoons inquisitively and it was soon agreed that out of politeness we will not send the dish back to the kitchen.
The lamb curry was our desperate attempt to justify the long drive and dodging traffic to the restaurant. Yes it was slick with an oily base of gravy, but the pieces itself were as not succulent as you would imagine little Mary to be.
We ended the meal sans any dessert, paid up and left.
The verdict? The meal enthusiasm was now down to 2 stars, and the sombre walk back to the car left us wondering whether we had rather (un)brilliantly just made our way into the original restaurant’s namesake. Much ado about nothing.

I like the fact that this place is bright and you can actually see what you are eating. Food is surperb and each dish well spiced. I wanted my curry extra spicy and when requested this was done for me. Everything about the place was amazing, the service was also excellent. In fact we has a birthday in the family and inside of the menu, it says they can do a cake and sparkler which is £10 and when the cake arrived, the lights went dim, a birthday song came on and a laser show starts, it was fantastic and my aunty had a great birthday. We are an indian family so do not really go out for Indian food as we make it at home, but we wanted to try the brilliant because we had heard that prince charles visits here and also seen it on ramsays show on tv. We were very happy after our meal and although it is a little expensive, it was worth each penny. Good food in clean surroundings with friendly staff, i highly recommend this place.